yellow leaves - Orchid Board

OrchidPhoenix · #1 03-04-2008, 12:20 AM

so the poor guy that had the root rot and was clipped and replanted now has a leaf turning yellow

Maybe it was just a cry for food, as they were fertilized two days after thier scheduled day.

the moss seemed too moist in the middle for another soaking, but the outside was dry and it was very light, on top of the fact it was time for the fertilizer...so i placed the plants in the sink, rinsed with water, then the fertilizer, let them drain a minute and now they are back on thier stand.

i have tried to attatch a pic of it but for some reason the program doesnt want to attatch certain pictures while it will attatch others that were takin at the same time....however you can see it in my gallery if youd like.

p.s. this is the same guy that has the spike turning red

BikerDoc5968 · #2 03-05-2008, 09:06 AM

hard to say...could be natural death of an old leave or root rot and dying plant....the other leaves look OK, so maybe just natural dying leaf.

Ray · #3 03-05-2008, 09:51 AM

Unlike mammals, an orchid fed 2 days late has experienced little-, if any stress.

I agree with Biker that it may be nothing, but I'd still keep a close eye on it.

Royal · #4 03-05-2008, 10:26 AM

It sounds like it's adjusting to having it's roots cut, a new pot, new home, etc. A lower leaf is lost every once and a while, but it still kind of freaks me out too! If all or most of the other leaves are still green and firm, you're OK.

Also, since you just cut a bunch of rotting or rotted roots, I'd try to keep it on the drier side (not DRY but a little dryer than normal). Increase humidity around the plant, but decrease watering slightly until you see new roots forming.

OrchidPhoenix · #5 03-05-2008, 03:36 PM

thank you!

the moss is throwin me off. the outside drys in about a week but the inside is still damp.

when they were replanted at the greenhouse he said that the moss would be best for them. i really like the way it looks and feels and really gives the phals a chance to absorb he nutrients before they are washed away.

BUT, i just know that the inside isnt drying out enough. so i think after flowering i may repot AGAIN.

the yellow leaf is very yellow and wilted and prob needs cut off. what is the best way to go out this?

the other leaves are not as green as my other plants nor as firm but they are still green. maybe this guy needs repotted into bark now? i read on here (somewhere) about putting terra cotta pieces in the bottom for good drainage, and i have some old pots i could bust up for it. I really want to save this guy and i feel like he is goin down hill on me

again thank you for yoru advise.

a little side note, the two new plants have buds popping open all over the place (they are still in the bark i bought them in sat.) and while the purple one that was repotted into the moss has droopy blooms, there are buds at the end of the spike

BikerDoc5968 · #6 03-05-2008, 04:12 PM

Many people on this, and other boards, recommend that one repots an orchid, even one in spike, upon bringing it home. The logic behind this is that you don't know, unless your plant is potted in a clear plastic pot, what is in the pot....you could have a ball of rotted roots...say that fast 10 times

or you may have a few good roots and in order to save them and the plant, it is better to repot in bark and possibly lose the spike. If the plant lives, it will flower again next year, otherwise it is history. Many also advocate using a product called SuperThrive or K L N to help "kick-start" an otherwise stressed plant. They are similar but the KLN has both rooting hormones. SuperThrive is available in some garedn centers while I have only found KLN available online...but that is my experience. If you google these, you'll be able to purchase them online.

Ross · #7 03-05-2008, 05:25 PM

This is probably the best advise you've been given today!

I tend to wait till the blooms are gone before repotting a new purchase, but I still repot soon after purchase, if possible. I choose KLN as my go-to and keep a supply home just for that purpose. Good luck.

BikerDoc5968 · #8 03-05-2008, 06:29 PM

Thanks Ross, for your support.....

OrchidPhoenix · #9 03-06-2008, 01:25 AM

you are so right! thats one of the reasons i took the phals to the greenhouse to have them repotted. and upon inspection we found root rot.

all my plants are potted in a clear plastic pot. (i tried the 10 times thing, i think i should problably clean the monitor off now, LOL)